Yosemite: Teens study nature in national park's backcountry

NatureBridge students perform a research project during a two-week backpack… (NatureBridge )

Students with a passion for nature and science have a chance to perform hands-on research this summer at Yosemite National Park during two-week trips organized by NatureBridge. Trips visit the park's backcountry to teach students backpacking and wilderness survival skills as well as how to perform field research while they are in the wild.

Participants who take the Field Research Course will collect and analyze data on a particular project and report their findings to scientists at the park and others afterward. The course is aimed toward sophomores, juniors and seniors who have completed at least one year of biology. NatureBridge, a nonprofit organization that has been organizing student trips since 1971, describes this course as "physically and intellectually challenging."

The organization issues a pack list of gear required for the trip and physical training needed to participate. (Financial aid is available for those who can't afford the trip or the gear.) NatureBridge also offers this course at Olympic National Park in Washington.

When: Trips run June 30-July 13 and July 27-Aug. 9.

Price: $1,950 per person, which includes a guide and the field resource course. Travel to and from Yosemite and backpacking gear are not included.